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Site Report: Nullagvik Hotel - Kotzebue

Site Name: Nullagvik Hotel - Kotzebue
Address: 206 Shore Avenue, Kotzebue, AK 99752
File Number: 410.38.018
Hazard ID: 4221
Status: Active
Staff: Stacee Henderson, 9072628202 stacee.henderson@alaska.gov
Latitude: 66.897957
Longitude: -162.600568
Horizontal Datum:WGS84

We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.

Problems/Comments

In November 2006, one 500-gallon UHOT was removed from the site. On August 27-30, 2012, one 3,000-gallon UHOT was removed. Site characterization was performed following the removal of each UHOT revealing releases from both UHOT systems. The September 2012 site characterization included the excavation of approximately 500 cubic yards of impacted soil that was disposed of in the landfill. During the excavation, debris (glass, metal, coal, wood scraps, empty drums made into a make-shift septic system) were uncovered. The debris likely originated from the cannery that existed on the site before the hotel was constructed in the 1970s. Excavation confirmation samples revealed diesel range organics (DRO) up to 589 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). On September 16-20, 2020, six soil borings were advanced on the site to a depth of 10 feet below ground surface (bgs). Concentrations of DRO, gasoline range organics (GRO), residual range organics (RRO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were all detected, but all below ADEC Arctic Zone Cleanup Levels. Groundwater concentrations revealed DRO and RRO above groundwater cleanup levels. Groundwater is thought to be resulting from perched, melting permafrost. Permafrost is prevalent at the site. All concentrations of contaminants were below the residential target level for vapor intrusion.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
3/31/2006 GIS Position Updated Latitude and longitude determined using ArcGIS and maps in file. Mitzi Read
3/31/2006 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Preliminary ranking based on information in site file. AHRM score was not calculated due to number of unknown values. Mitzi Read
3/31/2006 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program PERP Spill #04389912001, PERP File #410.02.031. Mitzi Read
3/31/2006 Site Added to Database Site added to the database. Mitzi Read
6/6/2006 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Sent PRP letter to landowner NANA Corporation requesting release investigation of site. Shannon Oelkers
9/12/2006 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Received release investigation plan from Travis/Peterson. Approved plan for removal of one UST and the characterization of possible DRO plume from second tank located within building footprint. Shannon Oelkers
12/12/2006 Update or Other Action Received site characterization report from Travis/Peterson. Soil and suprapermafrost groundwater impacted. DRO detected in groundwater at 15.4 mg/L, DRO in soil up to 1580 mg/kg. Analytical samples show strong evidence of a leak or spill from both tanks. Shannon Oelkers
4/11/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Intitial Ranking Complete for Source Area: 78188 (Autogenerated Action)
4/12/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Intitial Ranking Complete for Source Area: 78189 (Autogenerated Action)
7/27/2007 Update or Other Action Site transferred from Oelkers to Farris. Shannon Oelkers
6/4/2008 Update or Other Action DRO is 36.6 mg/L in gw. May be migrating off-site. BTEX and PAHs not sampled in GW. Sent letter to TPECI asking for surface water analysis. Neal Everson
6/11/2008 Update or Other Action Added Lat-Lon after Kotzebue visit. Tamara Cardona-Marek
2/25/2009 Update or Other Action Responsible party requested that work be delayed until 2011 when hotel will be demolished. DEC approved request for soil characterization and removal until 2011, but groundwater characterization should be addressed sooner absent a compelling need. Work can be done concurrently with Hanson Trading Post Site. Neal Everson
2/16/2010 Update or Other Action Changed DEC project manager to James Fish. Janice Wiegers
1/23/2012 Update or Other Action Draft Work Plan received for tank/soils excavation Jim Fish
8/10/2012 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Work plan for soil excavation and stockpiling at Landfill approved. If soils remian stockpiled for greater than 180 days, a stockpile management plan will be required. If soils not accepted as lanfill cover by Solid Waste Program or landfill,a soil remediation work plan will be required. Jim Fish
10/5/2012 Update or Other Action Soil disposal (to landfill) request letter from consultant to DEC SOlid Waste receieved. Jim Fish
12/21/2012 Update or Other Action Recieved site characterization and remediation report from consultant Jim Fish
10/14/2013 Update or Other Action Received additional information about the site from TPECI (historic use as cannery) and confirmation that no stockpiles of contaminated soils remain on site. Jim Fish
10/28/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed tank excavation report and sent RP (NANA Corp) letter asking for groundwater assessment and evaluation of neighboring lot (New Nullagvik Hotel). Jim Fish
3/5/2018 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78188 HOT #1. Laura Jacobs
5/16/2018 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC staff were contacted by RP, Nana Management Services, asking about continued billing. Was not aware of remaining issues with site. DEC forwarded the most recent letter from DEC that outlines what remains to be completed before site closure can occur. Laura Jacobs
2/22/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting held with DEC staff and NANA Development Corporation to discuss site history, remaining contamination onsite, and requirements for the site moving forward. NANA Development Corporation indicated they would retain an environmental consultant to prepare a work plan. Megan Roberts
2/22/2019 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78188 HOT #1. Megan Roberts
5/15/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received a work plan addressing site characterization. Megan Roberts
5/30/2019 Workplan Requested DEC provided work plan revision comments and requested that a revised work plan be submitted. Megan Roberts
7/11/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting held between DEC Project Manager and NANA Develp Corp to discuss work plan revision intent and it was indicated a response to the work plan revision comments would be submitted soon followed by a teleconference to discuss sampling points with DEC and environmental consultants. Megan Roberts
7/16/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting held between DEC staff, NANA Development Corp., and Kuna Engineering to discuss work plan revisions. Sampling efforts will be focused on identifying and sampling in the location where former tanks resided. Additional soil borings will be placed at the north-western side of the new Nullagvik Hotel. Groundwater sampling will be proposed here to investigate the groundwater to surface water connection. The boiler house investigation will remain as proposed in the initial work plan. DEC indicated lead and lead scavengers analysis should be included. Megan Roberts
8/16/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC received revised work plan from Kuna engineering on this date. ADEC will review and respond. This work plan is join with the Hansen Trading Post site (ADEC file no 410.38.022). Erin Gleason
11/6/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC has reviewed the revised work plan and requests further changes. A letter was sent to NANA on this date request further work plan revisions and documentation of Kuna engineering's impartial third party status. ADEC understands that Kuna Engineering may be a subsidiary of NANA. Revised work plan due November 29th. Erin Gleason
3/19/2020 Update or Other Action Received request for waiver for impartial third party of the QEP letter from NANA on2/26/20.ADEC has granted the waiver. Erin Gleason
3/19/2020 Update or Other Action ADEC received revised work plan from NANA on 2/26/2020. Upon review, ADEC finds that further revisions are needed. Letter sent to NANA on this date requesting revised work plan by April 30th, 2020. Erin Gleason
5/15/2020 Site Characterization Workplan Approved ADEC received revised work plan on this date. The work plan is now approved. Schedule for field work to be determined based on pandemic travel restrictions. Erin Gleason
3/5/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received characterization report on 2/1/21. ADEC will has reviewed report and requests revisions. Letter send on this date. Erin Gleason
3/15/2021 Update or Other Action Received response to comments from Kuna Engineer. ADEC will review and respond. Erin Gleason
5/17/2021 Site Characterization Report Approved Received revised report from Kuna Engineering on behalf of NANA on May 10th, 2021. ADEC has review the report and it is now approved. ADEC has review the file and determined it is not available for closure. The extent of groundwater contamination needs to be determined in the vicinity of MW1 before it can be eligible for closure. Erin Gleason
6/2/2021 Update or Other Action Received TDD for soil cuttings. Naomi Mason
7/13/2022 Workplan Requested Work plan request letter sent to NANA Native Corporation on this date for this site in conjunction with the Hanson Trading Company UHOT (Haz ID 4504). Naomi Mason
7/21/2023 Workplan Requested Data gap analysis/work plan request letter sent to NANA on this date for both the Nullagvik Hotel and Hanson Trading Company. Naomi Mason
8/23/2023 Site Visit ADEC staff visited site on this date. No obvious signs of contamination. Two heating oil tanks (10,000-gallon and approximately 15,000-gallon) are present on the southeast side of the building. Building is on post and pad foundation and appears to be in very good condition and well-maintained. Naomi Mason

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details
Hazard ID Site Name File Number
4504 Hanson Trading Company UHOT 410.38.022
22952 Hanson Trading Post/Kotzebue Development 410.26.006

Missing Location Data

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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811-1800
Phone: 907-465-5066
Fax: 907-465-5245
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